Page 76 of Unexpected Danger
“What?”
“She said she’d be walking on the dirt road past Roarke and Mila’s house toward the state land. Neither Roarke, Deputy Huang, nor I have seen her.
His panic lurched him into overdrive. What had Londyn been thinking?
“All right, Mom, I’m on my way. Tell Roarke and Huang to keep looking. You stay at the house until she returns.”
He contacted dispatch, flipped on his blinker, and glanced in his rearview mirror. And that’s when he saw her.
Brodie leaped from the truck. “Londyn!” He scrambled toward her, his boots slipping on the loose gravel. He met her halfway and lifted her into his arms, and set her in the truck. “Wait here and lock the door.”
He sprinted to the house, weapon drawn. “Police! Come out now.”
An engine’s roar and squealing tires drew his attention to the sedan. Haack careened toward him, and Brodie slid out of the road and into the weeds adjacent to the driveway just as the car raced past him. Brodie stumbled to his feet, service revolver at the ready when he had a clear shot. The sedan weaseled its way through on the left side of the truck and down the road to the highway.
Londyn unlocked the door, and Brodie slid into the truck. He contacted dispatch as he began his pursuit. He tossed a glance at Londyn. Her appearance horrified him. Her eyes were swollen, bloodshot, and watery. Her hair was matted to her forehead. “I’m so glad you’re all right.”
“Thank you for seeing me.”
He almost hadn’t. Had almost driven to the ranch to find her. If he’d continued on that course…
No. He wouldn’t consider that outcome for Londyn. She was safe now, and he intended to keep her that way.
The truck careened to one side over a pothole he hit a little too hard. “Hold on.”
Haack swerved around a corner on the country road ahead of them. Brodie gritted his teeth and gripped the steering wheel while informing dispatch of his location and the need for backup.
A school bus stopped ahead, its lights flashing. Brodie hit the brakes as Haack flew past the bus extension arm. The thought of a kid getting mowed over sickened him, and his blood froze in his veins. He stopped behind the bus, grateful that the first student had just now exited.
When the bus continued driving, Brodie safely passed it, noting the bus number. He’d need the footage from the onboard camera.
He surveilled the road ahead. There was no sign of Haack.
A driveway ahead prompted him to stop. He cut the engine. “Londyn?”
Tears fell silently down her cheeks. He unlatched his seatbelt and moved closer. He wanted to hold her. To reassure her. To never let any harm come to her again. “What happened at Corker’s house?” He feared the answer.
“They kidnapped me when I was on a walk. I-I had my gun, but it was knocked from my hand, and they tied me up and held me there.” Her lip trembled.
He climbed out of the driver’s side and walked to her door, opening it. She fell into his arms. He ran a gentle hand over her hair and rested his chin on her head. What if he hadn’t been there? The smell of animal urine emanated from her, and clumps of dog hair covered her shirt and pants. He observed some blood on her dirty bare feet. “You’re safe now,” he whispered.
Londyn clung to him. He closed his eyes and thanked the Lord for keeping her safe until he could reach her. “Did he harm you in any—” He choked on the words, fearing what Haack may have done.
She shook her head, and Brodie released a tight breath. A spine-shuddering sob escaped her, and he gathered her closer. Her pain tore at him, and he yearned to erase all she’d been through in the recent and distant past.
How long had he wanted to hold her again? To feel her in his arms? But not this way. Not because someone wanted to harm her.
Londyn withdrew, and he instinctively gently framed her face with his hands. “I’m going to take you to the clinic.”
“I just want to go to the ranch.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Please.”
“Can we at least call Mila and have her check over you?”
Londyn nodded. He should step back. Get back in the truck and drive her to the ranch, but something kept him there, his hands resting on her upper arms, and his eyes searching hers before she again collapsed against him.
